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Gauge Information

River Description

Emerging from the slopes of Mt. Adams, the White Salmon is one of Washington's greatest
whitewater resources. With a range of whitewater opportunities from a popular beginner training
run to some of the most challenging whitewater in the country this river has something for
everybody. Commercial rafting trips are popular and the river typically has good flows throughout
the year. With it's consistent and dependable whitewater, the river has hosted many races and
events over the years. The water is always cold so be sure to dress appropriately. While mid-day
sun penetrates the canyon it is often much cooler down in the gorge particularly on hot summer
days in August.

The section starting at BZ Corner is known as one of the best intermediate whitewater runs in the
state. With near consistent action, beautiful scenery, and a big drop at the end that always
attracts a crowd of spectators, this is a destination for folks from around the region. Those who
have been a part of the whitewater scene for the past several years remember the privately owned
put-in located in a residential area along the gorge. A cableway high across the river was used
to lower rafts down into the gorge while kayakers and raft passengers paid their fee to hike the
trail down to the river. With the future of the access in question the Trust for Public Land
stepped in to help negotiate a deal and transfer ownership of the property to the Forest Service.
The old billboard with the oversized map of the river is gone and a set of rails to slide rafts
down along the trail has replaced the cableway (to the frustration of those trying to hike up
against the grain of traffic after finishing the Green Truss run upstream), but the land is now
in public ownership effectively securing the best possible access point for future generations of
paddlers. The Forest Service is always looking for user feedback so let them know if you have
constructive thoughts on how to improve the access.

The trail down into the gorge ends at the put-in above a relatively straight forward class IV
drop with two holes. First comes Maytag and then the rapid finishes with a ledge drop into a
good-sized hole known as Top Drop. Skirt the edge or punch it through the middle depending on
flows. If you prefer a bit of a warm-up before jumping on to one of the more challenging rapids
of the run you can always put-in to the downstream end of the drop. Spectators can watch the
action from the bedrock ledge at river level or from high above on the Glenwood Road Bridge.

Once you pass under the bridge the action starts right away with several of the best rapids and
nearly continuous action for the next two miles. One hazard to be aware of near the start of the
run is a cave on river right. Stay to the left away from the wall and you'll be fine. Class
III rapids in this section include Grasshopper, Siwash, Corkscrew, and Waterspout. The drops are
all relatively easy to boat scout and consist of fun wave trains and ledge drops through the
narrow gorge. The hole in Waterspout sometimes gives people trouble if you aren't expecting
it. Punch it down the center or sneak it along the left. The river tapers off for a bit before
you reach Stairsteps which is a series of fun ledges. This is the last of the significant rapids
before you reach Husum Falls.

A sign marks the approach of Husum Falls and points to a take-out on river right above the falls
(for those who don't plan to continue downstream) or a portage trail on river left a bit
closer to the edge. Intermediate paddlers should have no trouble exiting the river before the
falls. You'll also recognize it by the highway bridge and an obvious horizon line. Once
paddlers land in the eddy above the falls and start scouting a crowd will begin to form. A
walkway on the bridge provides convenient access to several different vantage points and a
platform to record the carnage. Spectators gather along the railing to cheer both the good and
bad lines. The typical line is to run the drop center right just to the left of a large rock that
protrudes above the surface at all but the highest flows. Expect to get munched in the hole if
you stray too far to the center. Other lines are possible depending on flows and your skills.
Some call this drop a class V because it does require a challenging move to run it clean, but the
approach is free of obstacles and the run-out offers plenty of opportunity for recovery. Carnage
is not uncommon however especially if you end up in the powerful hole in the center. The drop
provides easy access for multiple runs or park and huck.

Below Husum Falls the river continues for another hundred yards before passing under a second
bridge. There is another good class II/III rapid below this bridge which at some flows provides a
nice park and play spot. You can take-out here on river left or continue downstream through
another couple miles of class II rapids including a great surf spot known as Cave Wave. (Sept 9,
2014 edit: There is a riverwide log 1/4 mile downstream from Cave Wave. The takeout at
Northwestern Park is a gigantic gravelled ramp on the right just after a bridge, and requires
class II eddy-catching skills.) This lower section is a great beginner training run with the
hardest rapids at the start. Called the "Lower" by many locals, it provides consistent
action with several fun but forgiving rapids. Since the dam was removed in 2011, there are class
II-II+ rapids all the way to the takeout. The last rapid before the takeout

Husum Falls

The typical line is to stay on the tongue just to the left of the rock that sticks up on river right and keep some right angle (sweep on the left) as you head over to stay out of the hole in the middle. At higher flows this rapid rates class V, but at lower flows many consider it a class IV. At high flows you can also do the sneak on far river left that involves a couple creeking moves. You can take-out on river right or river left above the falls.